Seventeenth-century paintings are arguably the Netherlands’ most successful cultural export. The exhibition "The Dutch Masters" in Tokyo (2013) attracted the greatest number of visitors worldwide, similar displays followed in Cape Town, Beijing/Shanghai, Mumbai, and Abu Dhabi. As a postdoc researcher, you will examine the contemporary relevance of Netherlandish Old Masters in a globalising world. This is in the context of the research project ‘The Dutch Global Age’ (NWO-Vici).

Your job

You will complement our team, which currently consists of 3 Ph D candidates and the PI. The team explores interactions between the arts of the Netherlands and the world beyond Europe in an attempt to establish how Netherlandish art has contributed to a global worldview. Whereas the Ph D projects all take historical approaches (such as iconography and technical art history), you as a postdoc will focus on the recent past and contemporary period. The central research question is how and why paintings from the seventeenth-century Netherlands have been collected and displayed in museums in Asia, Africa, and Latin America in the period 1975-2022. You will also contribute to an exhibition that connects the project’s historical questions to topical societal debates.

Your qualities

You bring the following qualifications:

• a completed Ph D degree in art history, museology, heritage studies, or a related field;
• eagerness to publish international articles and connect scholarly research to societal debates;
• eagerness to work in a research team;
• good social and communication skills;
• an excellent command of English and excellent academic writing skills;
• (reading) knowledge of Dutch or one of the other languages relevant to the research project.

Candidates from abroad must fulfill the conditions set by the IND to work in the Netherlands.
The department is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We welcome employees who contribute to the diversity of our faculty through their unique backgrounds and perspective.

Our offer

We offer:

• a position for one year, with the possibility to extend to a total of three years;
• a working week of 32 hours and a gross monthly salary of €4,492 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale 11 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

About us

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.
The Faculty of Humanities has around 7,000 students and 1,100 staff members. It comprises four knowledge domains: Philosophy and Religious Studies, History and Art History, Media and Culture Studies, and Languages, Literature and Communication. With its research and education in these fields, the Faculty aims to contribute to a better understanding of the Netherlands and Europe in a rapidly changing social and cultural context. The enthusiastic and committed colleagues and the excellent amenities in the historical city centre of Utrecht, where the faculty is located, contribute to an inspiring working environment.

More information

For more information about this position and a full description of the research project ‘The Dutch Global Age’, please contact Thijs Weststeijn at m.a.weststeijn@uu.nl.
Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.

Apply now

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.
To apply, please send the following documents via the ‘apply now’ button:

• a motivation letter outlining your suitability for the position including your research experience and interests and how they connect to the theme of ‘The Dutch Global Age’ (max. 2 pages);
• your curriculum vitae;
• the names and contact details of two referees.

Candidates who make the shortlist will be invited for an interview. These may be conducted in person in Utrecht of online. Interviews are scheduled on 18 September 2024.